Isha Tejan-Cole or Johansen, depending on how long one may have been following her trailblazing achievements in the entertainment, publishing, fashion and football industry has come a long way in breaking barriers as far as Sierra Leones narrative is concerned.

Notably among the breaking of these barriers is the Pioneering of celebrating International Women’s  Day with football in Sierra Leone.

In 2014, Madam Johansen hosted the first successful commemoration of International Women’s Day friendly match in Kenema between the national women’s team of Sierra Leone and Liberia.

Coinciding with International Women’s Day on March 8th, the said friendly match serves as a strong representation of both countries uniting with the global community to advocate for gender equality and women’s voices to be heard.

According to football pundits, the match was a thriller as both sides put up dramatic performances to deny each other the much needed curtain raiser.

Besides, On April 2021, Madam Samoura was also in Sierra Leone to Pioneer the Peace village initiative with the Mano River Union and UNDP in Sierra Leone.

Madam Johansen seek to strengthen economic development ties between the sub regional countries [Sierra Leone , Liberia, and Ivory Coast by using football as a common force for Peace and Reconciliation.

International Women’s Day is a holiday celebrated annually on March 8th as a focal point in the women’s rights movement. IWD gives focus to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.

These pioneering initiatives have served as a blossoming beacon of light worthy of emulation locally and internationally affirming that investment in women will accelerate progress.